Garrett Jr., Benford earn All-America accolades on Friday evening

DES MOINES, Iowa — Sophomores Richard Garrett Jr. and Keith Benford both earned All-America honors on Friday night at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which are being contested at Drake Stadium.

Garrett Jr. recorded a 58-0 ½ (17.69m) measurement in the shot put, but that mark was not far enough to advance to the nine-man final. The Garland native finished his second national competition of the year in 14th place and that performance gave him his second second-team All-America certificate of the campaign. He placed 15th at March's NCAA Indoor and is the only thrower in program history to earn All-America honors.

Meanwhile, Benford cleared 6-8 ¾ (2.05m) en route to a 23rd-place finish in the high jump, which was good for honorable mention accolades. The Pflugerville native became the first high jumper in program history to earn an All-America award.

The pair of certificates pushed UTSA's all-time total to 11 in national outdoor competition and seven of those have come under the direction of ninth-year head coach Aaron Fox, including six in the last five seasons.

The Roadrunners' season will come to an end on Saturday when senior All-American Devon Bond competes in the triple jump at 11:05 a.m. Bond placed fifth a year ago in Eugene, Ore.